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20 Sep 01 - 07:38 AM (#554740) Subject: Scams in the midst of tragedy From: Allan C. I suppose it is to be expected that there would be some sick people who would want to profit from the recent events. Please be as certain as you can that your donations go to a reputable organization. The following is an exerpt from an email I just received from my ISP: The Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email ( CAUCE) and the SpamCon Foundation warned Wednesday that con artists are concocting online fraud to profit from the gruesome attacks on the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, which may have killed thousands of people. The groups say that most online scams come in the form of unsolicited e-mail, or spam, and postings in community forums soliciting donations for victims and survivors of the attacks. A typical message claims to be part of an "Express Relief Fund" or "Victims Survivor Fund." Another widespread e-mail solicited donations for the Red Cross, but the link led to a Web site unconnected with the popular, nonprofit relief organization. The agencies cautioned would-be donors to verify the solicitor's identity through another medium such as the telephone before donating money through credit cards or sending checks. "Virtually no bona fide relief agencies request funds by sending e-mail to people who are not already involved in that agency," CAUCE and SpamCon warned in a joint statement. "Solicitations made in this way may also violate laws in the United States and Europe." Another group, Internet Scambusters, warned that con artists were setting up legitimate-looking Web sites for donations. The group provided a list of reputable organizations that were taking donations--including Redcross.org, Unitedway.org, Helping.org... |
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20 Sep 01 - 07:46 AM (#554743) Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy From: Allan C. More details can be found at the CAUCE website. |
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20 Sep 01 - 03:26 PM (#555051) Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy From: Amos Thanks for the heads up. That such vermin exist is part of the nightmare. Can you imagine diverting funds from the Red Cross this week for personal profit??? Yucchhhh!!! I spit. |
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20 Sep 01 - 07:31 PM (#555272) Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy From: SINSULL It should be dealt with in the most severe possible way. Animals! |
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20 Sep 01 - 07:48 PM (#555284) Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy From: Jon Freeman I notice that the link I had put up on the main page The Annexe to the Red Cross Fund which I got from another similar thread to this here is not listed in the CAUCE methods of donating to the Red Cross (or I can't find it). My feeling is that CAUCE is not complete but perhaps someone can confirm this just in case. The link I gave is http://store.yahoo.com/redcross-wtc2/ Jon |
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20 Sep 01 - 10:36 PM (#555396) Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy From: catspaw49 Know what? This is just the start of it too. I hope we put some energy into tracking down these assholes as well as the cro-magnons attacking Arab Americans. Seems a good additional job for Bush's new department. Spaw |
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20 Sep 01 - 10:58 PM (#555422) Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy From: Allan C. Jon, I would imagine that at least some of the information CAUCE has is gotten from folks who send them tips. I am sure there are new bogus charities and new forms of spam born every day - more than anyone could keep up with. BTW, I finally found the website for the SpamCon Foundation. |
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20 Sep 01 - 11:05 PM (#555430) Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy From: Jon Freeman The start of it in Mudcat terms was Beware Phoney Donation Schemes Jon |
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20 Sep 01 - 11:36 PM (#555457) Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy From: Jon Freeman Sorry Allan, I should have posted back what I found: Reading the Cauce page led me to wonder as they only listed a couple of GENIUNE sites to donate to Red Cross that others may be phoney. There is a whole list of genuine companies and websites for the Red Cross at http://www.redcross.org/sponsors/customerdonors.html Jon |
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21 Sep 01 - 09:20 AM (#555693) Subject: RE: Scams in the midst of tragedy From: HelenJ An article in the 'Metro' newspaper - a Manchester freebie states this week a couple from Sale are sueing their travel agent. The day they were supposed to wed, somewhere near the Tower, the minister could not get across the city because of the disaster. They were married that same evening by another minister at another location. What Gothic obscenity. HelenJ. |